Top Things to Do in Beijing

Beijing City is a mixture of modern development with ancient culture. Splendid imperial
buildings telling mystery stories, numerous emerging things and lots of delicious
food attract hundreds of thousands tourists from every corner in the world. This
article is a guide to travelers maximizing their time when traveling to Beijing.

Once the Palace Square of the Ming and Qing Dynasties outside the Forbidden City,
now Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest city square, the heartland of Beijing.
With an area of 44 million square meters, it spreads from Tiananmen in the north
to Zhengyangmen in the south and the Museum of Chinese History of the east to the
People’s Congress Hall of the west.

On Oct.1, 1949 AD, Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People’s Republic
of China on Tiananmen Rostrum and after that Tiananmen Rostrum has become the symbol
of New China and a part of China National Emblem.
Admission: FreeOpening Hours: All day
Add: West Chang’an Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing City
地址：北京市东城区西长安街
Best time to travel: All year roundSuggested Tour Time: 1-2 hours

The Forbidden City, which now is known as Imperial Palace or the Palace Museum,
was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Located in Beijing center,
it is the biggest and best-preserved ancient architecture complex of wooden structure
around the world.

There are 4 gates of the Palace Museum, which are the Meridian Gate（the front gate）,
Dong Hua Gate(the east gate), Xi Hua Gate (the west gate) and Shen Wu Gate(the north
gate) respectively.

According to the layout and its function, the palace is divided into the outer palace
and the inner court by Qianqing Gate. The most significant parts of the outer palace
are Taihe Palace, Zhonghe Palace and Baohe Palace while the should-not-missed places
of the inner court are Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Palace and Kungning Palace. Eight
special halls are set up for treasure and culture relic in the Palace Museum.
Entrance Admission: 60 Yuan/Adult (Apr.1-Oct.31); 40 Yuan/Adult
(Nov.1-Mar.31)Halls Admission: 10 Yuan/Adult for Treasure House and Halls of
Watches&Clocks respectively
Opening Hours: 8:30-16:00(Apr.1-Oct.31); 8:30-15:40(Nov.1-Mar.31)Add: No.4, Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing City
地址：北京市东城区景山前街4号
Best time to travel: Autumn

The Great Wall is known as one of the Seven Wonders in the world and its Badaling
section represents most and is the best-preserved section among the Great Wall built
during the Ming Dynasty. Located in Yanqing County, it was originally constructed
for military defense. The battlements and watchtowers are in high and steep places
with stunning views across the mountains. At present the sightseeing section is
up to 3741 m with 16 watchtowers. Cable cars are provided to send tourists to the
wall.

Besides the Great Wall, there are other scenic spots like Stone Tablets of the Great
Wall, Garden of Qi Ji Guang and Garden of Yuan Chong Huan.Entrance Admission: 45 Yuan/Adult (Apr.1-Oct.31); 35 Yuan/Adult
(Nov.1-Mar.31)Cable Car Fare: 40 Yuan/ Person for one-way and 80 Yuan/ Person
for round-trip
Opening Hours: 6:30-19:00(Apr.1-Oct.31) and 7:00-18:00(Nov.1-Mar.31)Add: The North of Gu Dao, Jun Du Shan Pass, Yanqing County, Beijing
City
地址：北京市延庆县军都山关沟古道北口
Tel: 010-69121226Best time to travel: Autumn

As the biggest and best-preserved imperial garden in China, Summer Palace is a must-see
for travelers in Beijing. Fragrant Buddha Tower, the Long Corridor, the Mable Boat,
Suzhou Street, Seventeen Arches Bridge, Garden of Harmonious Interests and the Theater
best present the beauty of Summer Palace. The garden is mainly divided into political
zone for handling domestic and foreign affairs, living quarter for imperial families
and leisure part for entertainment.
Admission: 30 Yuan/Adult for entrance and 60 Yuan/Adult for through
ticket (Apr.1-Oct.31); 20 Yuan/Adult and 50 Yuan/Adult for through ticket (Nove.1-Mar.31)Opening Hours: 6:30-18:00(Apr.1-Oct.31) and 8:30-17:00(Nov.1-Mar.31)Add: No.19, Xin Jian Gong Men Road, Haidian District, Beijing City
地址：北京市海淀区新建宫门路19号
Tel: 010-62881144
Best time to travel: Autumn

Built in 1420, Temple of Heaven was a Taoist building complex for emperors during
the Ming and Qing Dynasties supplicating God’s blessings every year. It is 4 times
bigger than that of the Forbidden City, covering an area of 273 hectare. Now it
is also a good place to see how locals spend their spare time.
Admission: 15 Yuan/Adult for entrance and 35 Yuan/Adult for through
ticket (Apr.1-Oct.31); 10 Yuan/Adult and 30 Yuan/Adult for through ticket (Nov.1-Mar.31)Opening Hours: 6:00-22:00Opening Hours of Inner Attractions:
8:00-17:30（Mar.1-Jun.30）; 8:00-18:00（Jul.1-Oct.31）; 8:00-17:00（Nov.1-Feb.29）;Add: No.7，Dong Li, Inside Temple of Heaven, Chongwen District,
Beijing City
地址：北京市崇文区天坛内东里7号
Tel: 010-67028866
Best time to travel: Spring and autumn

Hutong is a perfect combination of traditional Beijing culture with modern literary
life. If you are into traditional Beijing culture, then do not miss Hutong! And
Nan Luo Gu Xiang stands out from Beijing Hutongs as one of the oldest blocks and
the best-preserved courtyard area. At the moment it is also a very special bar street
in Beijing with characteristics of peaceful, harmonious and natural. Don’t forget
to try the delicious food in Wenyu Cheese Shop and Passby Bar.

The best way to see Hutong is by bike or on foot. Leisurely strolling around the
old alley and think of the past days of Beijingers and coming across a special cafe
unexpectedly to have a rest may give you a definitely different feeling. This place
offers a unique sense which you can’t find in other corners.
Admission: FreeOpening Hours: All day
Add: Nan Luo Gu Xiang, Dongcheng District, Beijing City
地址：北京市东城区南锣鼓巷胡同
Best time to travel: Autumn

National Stadium is also called Bird’s Nest located in the south of Beijing Olympic
Park, the main stadium of the 29th Beijing Olympic Games held in 2008. It is well-known
for its special shape resembles a bird’s nest. After the Olympic Games, the Bird’s
Nest together with Water Cube has become a hot attraction for tourists. If you are
just back to the city center from the Great Wall, stop by and walk around to see
these unique-designed architectures.
Park Admission: 50 Yuan/Person for Bird’s Nest and 80 Yuan/person
for through ticket of Bird’s Nest and Water Cube
Opening Hours: All day for the park and 9:00-18:00(Mar.1-Oct.31);
9:00-17:30(Nov.1-Feb.29) for Bird’s Nest and Water Cube
Add: No.3-3A, An Ding Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City
地址：北京市朝阳区安定路甲3-3号
Tel: 010-84373008
Best time to travel: All Year round and the night scene is spectacular

798 Art District 798 (艺术区 ★★★★)

798 Art District is an emerging art area in China. It was a factory and rebuilt
into an art district years ago. Basing on the original structure, some artists make
the most of factory and decorate them into creative art spaces. There are still
some factories operating. A mixture of art and industry gives the area special atmosphere.
Many café and small art workshops are situated there. Exhibitions and lectures are
never absent in 798 Art District.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 10:00-17:00Add: No.4，Jiu Xian Bridge Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing City
地址：北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路4号
Tel: 010-59789798
Best time to travel: All Year round

Old Beijing Hot Pot is also known as Instant-boiled Mutton. The mutton is picked
from spayed sheep. Boiling the mutton in the hot pot for 10 seconds makes a delicious
dish, thus call it Instant Boiled Mutton. The meat of rear legs are the best. The
boiling order should be tripe, mutton, other dishes and noodles.

Besides the above representative dishes, Beijing also has many delicious and popular
snacks. Travelers could find most of them in Gui Street（簋街）, Niu Street（牛街）and San
Li Tun（三里屯）.

Recommended Old Beijing Noodles Restaurants:

Gui Street 簋街 ★★★★★

Gui Street is the most famous food gathering place that well-known for its food
from various places in China. What’s more, it is open 24 hours. So whenever you
have an appetite for snacks, Gui Street is right there for you.

San Li Tun is a newly-developed commercial area in recent years. Its high-end restaurants
with nice food and unique decoration make it become the new favorite of young people
and white-collars. Many notable restaurants try to make a place in San Li Tun. If
you are shopping around there, do not miss the delicious food in an enjoyable environment.

In this international metropolis, there are always as many as possible activities
waiting for you to take part in. Seeing a Kungfu Show and drinking beer in the pub
are considered the most popular things to do among travelers in Beijing.

Kungfu Show in Red Theater

Kungfu Show in Red Theater 红剧场功夫秀 ★★★★★

The show is telling a story of the growing-up experience of a monk. It tells about
how a little ignorant monk becomes a courageous and wise man by years of Kungfu
practicing and meditation. The director, Kungfu practitioners and the company (China
Heaven Creation International Performing Arts Co.Ltd.) are at the top in China.

Apart from Nan Lu Gu Xiang which is introduced before, Houhai is also a hot hang-out
in the evening for locals and travelers. It is a lake in central Beijing, one of
the 3 parts of Shichahai. Popular restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs are set up there.
No matter you desire a cool summer night or wants to drink beer with friends, Houhai
won’t disappoint you.

Add: Houhai, Xicheng District, Beijing City

地址:北京西城区后海

As the capital of China, Beijing is home to numerous name brands，malls and antique.
This article specially introduces 3 most well-known haunts of Beijingers and tourists.

Wangfujing Street

Wangfujing Street 王府井大街 ★★★★★

This is a 100-year-old street that is located in Beijing center. Traditional culture
meets modern society there. Old and famous shops feature the street like Nei Lian
Sheng（shoes）,Sheng Xi Fu（hats）, Rui Fu Xiang（silk）,Wang Ma Zi（scissors）, Dao Xiang
Village（cakes）,Qujude Peking Roast Duck Restaurant（Peking Roast Duck）and Dong Lai
Shun Restaurant（Instant-boiled Mutton）. It is definitely a must-see in Beijing.

Add: Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District，Beijing

地址：北京市东城区王府井大街

San Li Tun

San Li Tun 三里屯 ★★★★☆

As a new commercial area, San Li Tun is a hot gathering place for trendsetters.
Village is the landmark site consisting of south area and north area. South
area is home to name brands while north area gathers most top-end brands. And fashion
small shops can be seen everywhere in 3.3 Mall.

Add: San Li Tun, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址：北京朝阳区三里屯

Xiushui Street

Xiushui Street 秀水街 ★★★★☆

Xiushui Street is known for tourist souvenirs, silk and foreign trade of clothes.
The qualities of goods are uneven. But picking good and favored things from a large
market and bargain them bring another enjoyment that can’t be found in top malls.
It is one of Beijing landmarks, along with the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and
Peking Roast Duck.
Add: Xiushui Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing

地址:北京朝阳区秀水街

Recommended Beijing and China Tours

8-Day Beijing - Xian - Shanghai Group Tour: This is the essence of China. See extraordinary
Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and Horses and the Bund in 8 days experiencing our
quality service all the way.

4-Day Beijing: To know the imperial history of Beijing by visiting the Temple of
Heaven, the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square; to appreciate the northern garden
in the Summer Palace and to feel the splendor of China by traveling to Badaling
Great Wall.

5-Day Beijing :Explore the ancient Beijing by visiting The Summer Palace, Yonghe
Lamasery and The Temple of Heaven; experience the splendid Beijing by traveling
to the Mutianyu Great Wall and enjoy the modern Beijing during the exterior visit
of Beijing Olympic Stadiums.